The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-03
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
The Senate Passes the Sundry Civil APP
preparation and Other Bills.
The Absolute Lack of Coast Defenses and Naval
Equipment Again Forcibly Presented
Good Place to Put the Surplus.
THE SENATE.
The Texas Seed Bill and the Sundry Civil
Bill Passed

The Texas Seed Bill and the Sundry Civil
Bin Passed.
WASHINGTON, Feb 2.-There were ten SEN
ators present when the gavel fell, this morning
and seven more entered during prayers. 1t re-
ouires 38 to make quorum.
A message was presented from the President,
with a communication from the Secretary OF
State, transmitting Lieutenant Scheutze's re-
port in regard to his distributing testimonials
for the preservation of the survivors OF the
Jeanette expedition. The President says that
the report is interesting alike to the people OF
the United States and subjects of Russia, and
will be gratifying to all who appreciate the gem
erous, humane action of Congress in providing
for the testimonials. Ordered printed.
The request from the House of representa-
tves for an engrossed copy Of the lost bill to
forfeit certain lands of the Northern Pacific
railway, was ordered to be complied with.
Mr.. George from the committee on agricul-
ture, reported favorably the House bill appro-
pristing $4,000 Ito be Immediately available)
for special distribution of seeds in the drought
stricken section OF Texas by the Agricultural
Department. The object and propriety of the
bill was explained by Mr. Coke who said that it
applied to about 40 counties in Texas, which
had suffered last year, from a drought that had
destroyed all agricultural products The num-
Der of persons thus destitute he said, was es-
timated at from 80, 900 to 10000, that the
appropriation would not amount to 30 cents per
capita.
| Mr.. Edmonds inquired whether the people OF
those counties could not buy seed credit, just
as farmers Of other States did. He regarded
| this as simple bounty. which it would be bot
| ter to give in money letting the farmers buy
| their seeds in Galveston, where, he had no
doubt, they would get them better.
Mr.. Coke said that the Texas Legislature was
now in session. and was making provision for
A. -. ~,
nual appropriations made for the general distri-
button of seeds.
Mr.. Hoar asked Mr.. Coke to state the consti-
tutional ground on which he supported the bill.
Mr.. Coke-Not at this time Laughter.
Mr.. Hoar said he had hoped that, if the SEN
ate voted to furnish seed to Texas, Texas would
| furnish constitutional law to the Senate. He
would. however, vote for the bill with great
pleasure. He did not why Congress should
not make this slight addition to the annual ap-
preparation for seed, and make it special
Mr.. Hawley appealed to Mr.. Coke not to press
the bill, out Of regard for the history of Texas,
| that great empire State old and rich. He char
acterized the bill as passing around the hat,
| and said that if the Legislature of the little
| State of Connecticut asked for $40. 600 under
such circumstances and got it. he would resign.
| Mr. Coke repudiated the idea of this bill being
| a of passing around the hat" The State
of Texas was abundartly able to take care of her
own people, and would do it. She asked charity
| from nobody, from the government any
other source. She was able to maintain herself
| anywhere and everywhere, financially and other
| WISE She asked no aid from the national gov
| eminent. This bill was merely in line with sim
| liar bills in former Congresses for relief of peo
| pie in Ohio Kansas, Alabama and other States
| Mr. Ingalls, admitted that there were many
presidents for this bill, and said that if the PEG
| ole of Texas could afford to take the bill be
| could afford to vote for it.
| Mr. Salisbury, while admitting that this bill
was in line with appropriations heretofore made
| said that he had never voted for such appropria
| tions and so help him God he would never do So
After further discussion the bill passed
yeas "a, nays Is. The vote in detail was as
| follows: